HOW TO WRITE A

JOB APPLICATION
LETTER
 RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS
- DIFFERENCES -
COVER LETTERS RESUMES
 Target organization  Target position
 Complete sentences  Short, fragmented
statements
 Demonstrate how  Summarize your
you can help meet skills
needs of
organization; your
knowledge of
company
Cover Letters Should:
 HAVE A PURPOSE
 Be EMPLOYER-CENTERED
 Be enthusiastic
 Generate interest in reading resume
 Connect your skills to position
 Request action
They should also:
 Be addressed to specific person
 Be customized for each position
 Demonstrate your knowledge of
company
 Be error-free
Now let’s write the letter
 YOUR ADDRESS
ALIGN EVERYTHING TO THE LEFT
 NAME
 P.O BOX
 NAIROBI
 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2019 (Do not place a
full stop or leave space)
 ADDRESS OF PERSON YOU ARE
SENDING THE LETTER TO
 THE HOD
 REAL ESTATE VALUERS
 P.O. BOX
 NAIROBI
SALUTATION
 Dear Mr. Okero,
 Use the name of the person
 Avoid Dear Sir/Madam or To whom it may
concern
 Use the person’s name and title Prof.
Wanjala, Dr. Julian etc.
RE:
 Means in response to therefore do not use
it there was no previous communication
 RE: Use CAPITAL LETTERS but never
use Capital Letters, Bold, or Underline at
the same time.
SIGN OFF
 Yours sincerely/ Yours Truly/ Yours
Faithfully

 You must sign here

 Your Name
TIPS
 Vary your sentence structure
 Don’t start EVERY sentence with “I”
 Use active, strong verbs
 Concentrate on positive information
 Avoid overblown language
 Don’t sound desperate
 SALUTATION
 Use name of individual
 If IMPOSSIBLE to find name, you could
use:

Dear Manager:
Good morning:
OR leave off salutation
 OPENING PARAGRAPH
 Introduce yourself and express interest in
the position
I am currently studying/ working
 I am a holder of xxx degree from Strathmore
University as well as a certificate in xxxx
 Tell why you’re writing
 Grab reader’s attention
 Give a sense of what you can do
 The nature of my studies has prepared me well for a
position in ………..
“A motivated worker with a strong foundation
in business and customer service is the
background that I’d bring to your
organization. I’m…..
As a highly qualified, bilingual individual with
a strong academic background, I am
applying for a marketing assistant position
with Jones Brothers. My communication,
analytical, and interpersonal skills make
me a great candidate.
PARS 2
 Explain why you are the most suitable candidate
e.g
 My background and work experience in xxxx make me a
suitable candidate in this position
 I believe I would be the best candidate based on the fact
that …..
 I have previously worked in xxxx

 Use the key words used in the advertisement

 Show why you are perfect for the position
 Speak about the organizational values
PARS 3
 Conclude: Express optimism, avoid weak
statements such as
I hope my application will be considered
 Show confidence
I look forward to an invitation to an interview
 Finally.
 Enclosed find my CV attached
 BODY OF LETTER
 What skills you bring to the job - in
more detail
 How will you perform in job?
 Use specific references
 Can use a third paragraph if necessary
 Refer to company needs
 SAMPLE
 Meeting the demands of a full-time
undergraduate education, a position in
student government and a 20-hour-a-
week internship provided me with the
multi-tasking experience needed to
excel as a financial analyst.
© Vault Inc.
 CLOSING PARAGRAPH
 Motivates reader by asking employer to
call you at a specific time or date
 Initiates action
 Tells them how you can be reached
 Thanks reviewer for their time
 Tells reader what follow-up measures
you will use
 SAMPLES
 I hope that you will consider inviting me for an
interview…. Thank you for your time and
consideration. I look forward to hearing from
you soon.

 If my experience and educational background

are attractive to you, please feel free to contact
me at your convenience. Thank you...
 STRENGTHEN STATEMENTS
WEAK STRONGER
 “I believe my  “My background
background provides..” provides me…”
 “I feel very confident..”  “I am confident
that…”
 “I am convinced I
 “I feel I can help…”
can help…”
© Dynamic Cover Letters for New Graduates
SUBSTANTIATE VALUE
JUDGMENTS
 “I am organized and  “My professors can
detail-oriented…” attest that I am
organized and …”
 “I can handle major  “Previous
responsibility and I employers will
adapt well to affirm that they have
change.” entrusted me with
major responsibility
and…”
© Dynamic Cover Letters for New Graduates
RULES TO FOLLOW
 Align everything to the left
 Use one font and size
 Single space your work
 Space your paragraphs
 Justify your work
 When using RE: choose
words in the advertised
position
 Be careful about grammar
and spelling. Give
someone else to
edit/proofread
 Use formal English avoid
 I would like to
 I feel like
https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/jobs/socia
l-media-sales-internship-2
 https://www.brighterm  https://www.brighterm
onday.co.ke/jobs/tea onday.co.ke/jobs/sale
m-administrator- s-consultants-xj65r8
448d4r

 https://www.brighterm
onday.co.ke/jobs/mar
keting-and-business-
development-intern-
ngx5em
 It may take some time but these
documents are essential to your job
search.

THANK YOU….